An emotional Ruhan Nel hopes an evolving game plan and familiar faces can help the Stormers bring the Vodacom URC trophy back to Cape Town next season, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
The 2021-22 URC winner was named club captain on Tuesday for the 2026-27 campaign, after leading the charge most of last season in the absence of Salmaan Moerat, who has left the club and joined French Top 14 outfit La Rochelle.
Nel also skippered the Stormers in a historic 38-21 defeat by the All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on 7 August at Cape Town Stadium.
“I’ve always thought of myself as an emotional character; I like to play with my heart on my sleeve,” he said after showing off the Stormers’ new home jersey. “This role was actually given to me last season; the coaches thought they’d give Salmaan a break.
“I remember sitting in bed the evening before the Leinster game, thinking: ‘This isn’t going to work out for me.’ But here we are.
“I honestly hope and pray that we can make this season special.”
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The Stormers will kick off the new URC season against Connacht away on 25 September, then Edinburgh, before their first home game against the Sharks (10 October).
Nel and co finished the 2025-26 regular season with 12 wins, five losses and a draw, advancing to the playoffs where they beat Cardiff in the shadow of Table Mountain before falling to eventual champions Leinster in Dublin.
The 35-year-old centre was probed on what must change to get over the line this season.
“You can’t go from season to season playing the same style.
“The game has evolved so much; teams analyse you on a weekly basis, looking to counter your scrum or maul, or trap you in transition.
“With the guys coming back from Bok duty and new signings like Cheslin Kolbe and Siya Kolisi, teams will be trying to find plans to box them in. For us, it’s about evolving our game to get these guys into the match effectively.
“We’ve set high expectations for ourselves: to replicate last season’s strong start and potentially finish with a final and bring that cup back home.”
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On the squad’s foundation, Nel added: “The youngsters coming through aren’t just pushing us for places; they’re pushing national guys for places.
“Most of us don’t have the luxury of putting on a Springbok jersey for six months of the year. Every morning we wake up, put on the Stormers badge and just do the work.”
Our club captain for the 26/27 season Ruhan Nel. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/DlkR8hKML2
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 1, 2026
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Ruhan fired up to lead Siya appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
An emotional Ruhan Nel hopes an evolving game plan and familiar faces can help the Stormers bring the Vodacom URC trophy back to Cape Town next season.
The post Ruhan fired up to lead Siya appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
